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#14, Harm Hillrichs "Herman" Folkerts is the son of Janns Habben Folkerts and Gretje Harms Hillrichs.

Born 30 Jul 1844 at Norden, Ostfriesland. Died 13 Jan 1902 at Peoria, IL.

Herman's birth record can be found in the records of Evangelische-Reformierte Kirche Norden (Reformed Evangelist Church of Norden), Mormon microfilm # 1187724. However, a review of the same church's records for the period from 1842 to 1850 fails to disclose the birth of any siblings, suggesting that perhaps his parents lived there only a short time. There was at least one other Folkerts family in Norden between 1844 and 1850, but their relationship to his family is not presently known.

We don't yet know when he and his family immigrated to America. It was sometime prior to 1873 since his first daughter was born in Peoria. Since Harm died in Peoria, it could also reasonably be assumed that all of his 7 known children were born in Peoria between 1873 and 1900, and that his daughters, and perhaps his sons, were also married there. However, except where there is positive information, no dates and places of birth or marriage have been given.

The Peoria Undertaker's Report of Death reports he died at the age of 57 at Cottage Hospital in Peoria. The cause of death was "obstruction of bowels" and contributing causes were "surgical shock." He interred at Springdale Cemetery. 1902 obituary notice relates that his funeral was held on a Thursday at 1:30 at his home and again at 2:00 at St. Paul's Lutheran church.

Harm and his family appear to be identified in the 1880 Peoria, Il U. S. Census, although with some minor discrepencies on the names and dates. The surname appears to be spelled FOLKERS, and his first name is illegible, but may be Herman, the name which appears on his Death Certificate. His age is given as 40 which would place his birth date at about 1840 rather than the correct date of 1844 as shown by Norden birth records. His wife is identified as Kretchen, age 32, rather than Gretchen. His children, as listed, are Dina, Minna, Anna, Hanna, and Katie.

He married Gretje (Gretchen) Herminia Geiken.